Hubbard promotes itself as great place for business

By LINDA M. LINONIS

linonis@vindy.com

hubbard

A two-pronged effort in the city urges residents to support local businesses.

The Hubbard Area Chamber of Commerce “promotes economic growth of existing businesses and development of new businesses.” The nonprofit organization has worked toward its goal since it was formed in 1948.

Hubbard Alliance, recently formed, is a casual organization of local contractors who encourage use of local professionals who live and work in the Hubbard area.

“We don’t have a lot of big chain stores. Most are family owned and operated,” said Deborah Shields, executive director of the Hubbard chamber.

Shopping at local businesses should be a priority, she said. “These businesses survive by their reputation and repeat business.”

By supporting the local businesses, she said, residents are helping to support the city itself, which gets a city income tax.

“This makes your town better,” she added.

Shields stressed that shopping locally infuses money into the local economy. “Shopping local retains the community,” she said. By that, she noted that if local shops close, eventually other places such as banks, restaurants and beauty salons may leave too.

James Chaney, who operates HCH Construction, and five other Hubbard contractors have advertised jointly as the Hubbard Alliance. He said the “loose” alliance came about after the group heard about “storm chasers,” who came to Hubbard after a hailstorm in May caused roof and siding damage. The transient contractors went door-to-door soliciting business.

“Local businesses mostly depend on worth of mouth. That’s how I get 80 percent of my business,” Chaney said.

He pointed out that local contractors want to build and maintain a good reputation of delivering quality work and good service.

“We stand behind our work and care about what we do,” he said.

Chaney noted that the local contractors are “here for the long term” and are around to fix a problem that arises. “I’m part of the community,” he said.

Chaney said using local contractors helps the local economy because the contractors spend money in the community and pay taxes.

Both Shields and Ron Killian, chamber president, said local businesses are terrific supporters of the schools and nonprofit organizations.

“They support these groups through donations, so it’s only right to support them in return,” Shields said.

“These are the people who often donate ... so why wouldn’t you consider them in return as a source for business?” Killian said.

Killian said Hubbard residents have been cautioned about using contractors who appear to be local but are not. Some have a disposable cell phone with a local number, but that’s where the local connection ends, he noted.

He said the Home Builders Association, which covers Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties, recently sent out an e-mail about high-pressure tactics exerted by some out-of-town contractors. Chaney noted that local contractors usually encourage people to get multiple bids on a project for comparison, while storm chasers do not.

Joshua Aikens, HBA executive director, said the warning e-mail was distributed to alert the Hubbard chamber to the situation.

Using transient contractors “comes with consequences,” Aikens said.

Aikens noted that last year, storm damage in Austintown created the same situation and subsequent complaints to HBA. He said HBA members have a stake in the community and want to maintain a good reputation.

He said to qualify for membership in HBA, a company must have been in business a year, carry liability insurance and have worker’s compensation.

For information on HBA and members, call 330-965-9779.